Splint device

ABSTRACT

A splint device for the spinal immobilization of a patient. The splint includes a central support portion (11) and two pairs of laterally extending flexible wings adapted to extend, respectively, about the head and about the body of a patient. The central support portion (11) is formed in two parts (61,65) joined together by a lockable hinge (60) such that the angle of inclination of a head part of the splint to the body part thereof may be selectively adjusted between 0&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt; and 30&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt;.

The present invention relates to a splint device for the spinalimmobilization of a patient and more particularly to such a splintdevice wherein the majority of the splint is formed integrally from asynthetic plastics material.

Splints of the type to which the present invention relates arefrequently used in emergency situations such as automobile accidents inwhich the patient has suffered injury, or suspected injury, to the backor neck areas. The handling of such injured patients requires specialcare in order to avoid further injury to the patient during thepatient's extrication from the site of the accident and his transferenceto a hospital. Conventional stretchers do not meet the needs of suchpatients as it is often necessary to extricate the patient from awrecked automobile, building site or some similar location where thepatient cannot be disposed easily onto a stretcher. In these cases it isconventional to endeavour to immobilize the spinal column of thepatient. Conventional splints of the type to which the present inventionrelates are made from a plurality of pieces such as wood and flexiblefabric materials (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,218). It has not previouslybeen considered possible to form such a splint from a single unitaryplastic moulding due to the requirements that a central portion of thesplint is required to be substantially rigid and inflexible while wingsextending laterally from the central support portion are required to beflexible such that they may be wrapped around portions of the body ofthe patient to hold the spine of the patient against the central supportportion of the splint.

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a splint device forthe spinal immobilization of a patient, comprising a central supportportion adapted to extend from the lumbar region to the head region of apatient, two pairs of laterally extending flexible wings attached to theside edges of the support portion, a first pair of the wings beingadapted to extend about the head of a patient, and a second pair of thewings being adapted to extend about the thoracic and/or lumbar region ofthe patient, first engagement means adapted to retain the first pair ofwings about the head of a patient and second engagement means adapted toretain the said second pair of wings about the thoracic and/or lumbarregions of a patient, the splint device being characterized in that thecentral support portion is formed integrally with the wings from asynthetic plastics material and has a cavity on one side and includeswithin the cavity a plurality of stiffening ribs adapted to render thecentral support portion substantially inflexible.

In a second aspect the present invention consists in a splint device forthe spinal immobilization of a patient, comprising a central supportportion adapted to extend from the lumbar region to the head region of apatient, two pairs of laterally extending flexible wings attached to theside edges of the support portion, a first pair of wings being adaptedto extend about the head of a patient and a second pair of wings beingadapted to extend about the thoracic the thoracic or lumbar region ofthe patient, first engagement means adapted to retain the first pair ofwings about the head of a patient and second engagement means adapted toretain the said second pair of wings about the thoracic and/or lumbarregions of a patient, the splint device being characterized in that thecentral support portion comprises a part connected to the first pair ofwings and a part connected to the second pair of wings, these partsbeing connected together by hinge means which include locking meansadapted to releasably retain the two parts together in at least aplurality of desired angular inclinations relative to one another whichlie between 0° to 30°.

The stiffening ribs positioned within the cavity serve to give thecentral support portion rigidity and inflexibility sufficient toadequately support the spine of the patient from moving in a way whichcould damage the patient's spinal cord if the patient's vertebrae havebeen damaged. These stiffening ribs serve to mechanically rigidify theplastics material which has been selected specifically to giveflexibility to the wings which are formed integrally with the centralsupport portion. The cavity itself, is preferably concave on the sideproximal to the side which will come into contact with a patient in useand the integrally formed ribs, or at least some of them, preferably rundiagonally of the central support portion. The use of at least somediagonal ribs in the cavity provides improved torsional rigidity ascompared with ribs which only run longitudinally and/or transversely ofthe central support portion of the splint device. In a particularpreferred embodiment of the invention two sets of substantially paralleldiagonal ribs are provided in the concavity, ribs of the respective setsintersecting. Such an array of intersecting diagonal ribs may becombined with one or more longitudinal and/or transverse ribs.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention a closure panelis provided on the central support portion to cover the concavity andthe integrally formed stiffening ribs contained therein. The closurepanel is preferably so connected with the central support portion thatits outer surface is flush with the outer surface of the central supportportion or any other portion of the device with which it is contiguous.In this way the splint device may be given a smooth exterior shape suchthat it may readily be positioned about a patient even if it has to beslid between the patient and a car seat or the like on which the patientwas positioned when the accident occurred.

The wings must have sufficient flexibility to allow them to be freelypositioned about the patient. In one embodiment of the invention eachwing of at least one pair of wings is formed with a plurality of spacedapart, substantially parallel and longitudinally extending, integralhinges. These hinges need to be quite numerous in order to provide thewings with the desired flexibility. In a more preferred embodiment ofthe invention the wings of at least one pair are each formed of amoulded sheet (formed integrally with the central support portion) ofthe synthetic plastics material and is of such a thickness and thesynthetic plastics material is so selected that the wing is inherentlyflexible. It is particularly preferred that the thickness of the wingtapers, continuously or discontinuously, from a position adjacent thecentral support portion to a position adjacent the free end of thatwing. It is particularly preferred that each wing tapers from athickness of from 3 to 5 mm adjacent the central support portion to athickness of from 0.5 to 2.5 mm adjacent the free end of that wing. Itis also particularly preferred that the wings, and therefore the wholesplint device, is formed of polypropylene.

The wings of at least one pair are, in a most preferred embodiment ofthis invention, formed of such a sheet of synthetic plastics materialwhich tapers slightly towards its free end as has been described andwhich is formed with an array of longitudinally extending, substantiallyparallel, corrugations, each of which extends part way across the widthof the wing but without making contact with the edge thereof. Each ofthese corrugations preferably extends through the full thickness of thewing. Each corrugation is preferably separated from the next adjacentcorrugation by a planar portion of the wing which portion has a width offrom 0.3 to 3.0 times the width of the corrugation. These corrugationsprovide to the wings a longitudinal stiffness without inhibiting thefreedom with which the wing may be wrapped around the appropriate regionof the patient's anatomy. This longitudinally stiffness is desirable tostop one wing "riding" up or down on the patient's body relative to theother wing to which it is connected by the respective one of theengagement means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the first engagement meanscomprise a pair of straps adapted to be passed around the forehead andchin respectively of a patient and connected at each end to one or otherof the first pair of wings. The second engagement means preferablycomprises straps adapted to pass around the legs and abdomen of apatient. The straps are preferably connected to the second wings byreleasable clips or buckles or are formed in two parts each of which isconnected to one of the second pair of wings, the strap parts beingconnectable together by releasable clips or buckles.

There are situations where a patient's anatomy is such, or where thepatient's position after an accident is such, that is is not appropriateor desirable that the part of the central support portion in the regionof the head of the patient be in axial alignment with the part of thecentral support portion in the thoracic or lumbar region of the patient.The second aspect of the present invention addresses this problem byproviding a hinge between these parts of the central support portion.This hinge can preferably operate over a range of about 30° with theparts in alignment at one end of the range and out of alignment by thefull 30° at the other end of the range. It is important that lockingmeans are provided to releasably retain the two parts in substantiallyany desired relative angular relationship.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge comprises tubularmembers on each part adapted to be arranged in axial alignment such thatthey interdigitate with one another, the locking means comprising boltmeans extending axially through the interdigitated tubular members andmeans on the bolt means to releasably clamp the tubular members togetherby axial pressure on the opposite end ones thereof.

Hereinafter described by way of example only, are preferred embodimentsof the present invention described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a splint according to the presentinvention in position on a patient;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the splint of FIG. 1 withoutfastening means and with the cover plate removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along III--III of the splint accordingto FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along IV--IV of the splint according toFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the head portion of the splintaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along VI--VI of the splint according toFIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through a cover plate forattachment to the splint of FIG. 2 showing an enlargement of a nipplefor connection of the cover plate to the splint;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a splintaccording to this invention showing a hinged connection between the headportion and the thoracic portion of the support portion thereof; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through the hinge of the embodiment ofthe invention depicted in FIG. 8.

The splint device 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 7 comprises a centralsupport portion 11, a first pair of wings 12 and 13 adapted to extendabout the head of a wearer, a second pair of wings 14 and 15 adapted toextend about the body of a wearer, a first pair of straps 16 and 17adapted to hold wings 12 and 13 about the wearer's head and a secondpair of straps 18 and 19 adapted to hold wings 14 and 15 about thewearer's body.

The central support portion 11, as is best seen in FIG. 2, isrectangular and concave, being recessed on its side proximal to thepatient. The central support portion 11 comprises a pair of inclined endwalls 21 and 22, a pair of inclined side walls 23 and 24, and a backwall 25. Within the recess formed by the end walls 21 and 22, the sidewalls 23 and 24, and the back wall 25 are a plurality of stiffeningribs. One stiffening rib 26 extends longitudinally of the recess; oneset of ribs 27 extend diagonally across the recess in one direction; anda second set of ribs 28 extend diagonally across the recess in adirection transverse to the set of ribs 27 such that there is a minimumincluded angled therebetween of approximately 60°. Each of the ribs 26,27 and 28 is formed integrally with the central support portion andextends from the back wall 25 up to a level flush with a ledge 29 whichsurrounds the recess. At the point of intersection of some of the ribs27 and 28 an enlarged boss 31 is formed. Each boss is formed with anaxially extending bore 32. At it upper end each bore 32 is constrictedby an annular, inwardly directed flange 33.

The back wall 25 is itself provided with two indentations 20, eachspaced equidistantly on each side of rib 26 between the zones over whichthe wings 12 and 13 join the central support section 11. Theindentations 20 are of such a depth that the back wall 25 is, over theareas of the indentations 20, flush with the free edges of the ribs 26,27 and 28 and the ledge 29. These indentations 20 add further to thestiffening of the central support portion provided by ribs 26, 27 and28.

The central support portion 11 includes a substantially planar extension34 at its head end in which is formed an aperture 35 by which the splint10 may be carried. The aperture 35 is strengthened by a peripheral rib36.

The first pair of wings 12 and 13 are substantially planar having athickness adjacent to the central support portion 11 of 3 mm and tapersto 1.5 mm adjacent its free edge. The outer face of each wing isprovided with two pads 37 of a "hook and loop" fastener material such asthat sold under the trade mark "VELCRO". Each of the straps 16 and 17 isprovided on its inside surface adjacent its ends with a complimentarypad (not shown) of the fastener material.

The second wings 14 and 15 are each provided adjacent their free endswith two pairs of apertures 38, 39, 40 and 41, each of which issurrounded by a stiffening rib 42. The strap 18 is adapted to beconnected at its ends to a respective pair of apertures 38, or, in thecase of a patient of slight build, to the apertures 40. Similarly, strap19 is adapted to be connected at its ends to apertures 39 or 41. Each ofthe straps 18 and 19 is provided with a buckle, 43 and 44 respectively,allowing the strap to be rejoinably broken intermediate their respectiveends.

The lower edge of each of the wings 14 and 15 is provided with a pair ofapertures 45 and 46 which are each surrounded by a strengthening rib 57.These apertures 45 and 46 are adapted to be connected to strapsencircling the patient's thighs if that is required for the safehandling of the patient.

Each of the wings 14 and 15 is provided with a plurality of elongate,substantially parallel corrugations 47. Each corrugation 47 stops shortof the free edge of the wing 14 or 15 and serves to provide longitudinalstiffening to the wing which not restricting its flexibility as it iswrapped around the body of a patient. The wings 14 and 15 taper inthickness from about 5 mm adjacent the central support portion 11 toabout 2.5 mm adjacent its free edge.

A cover plate 48 is provided to cover over the recess in the centralsupport portion 11. The plate 48 is provided on one face with detentdevices 49 made up of a pair of divergent fingers 51 each of which isprovided adjacent its free end with a radially outwardly projectingprotruberance 52. The detent devices 49 are adapted to project into thebores 32 in bosses 31 of the central support portion 11. Theprotruberances 52 on fingers 51 engage behind respective flanges 33 tohold the plate 48 in place on the central support portion 11. The freeedges of plate 48 nest into the ledge 29 surrounding the recess in thecentral support portion 11 and the face of the plate 48 carrying thedetent devices 49 lies on top of the free edges of the ribs 26, 27 and28 and the back wall 25 in the region of indentations 20.

The central support portion 11 and wings 12, 13, 14 and 15 are formedintegrally in a single moulding from polypropylene which is by itsnature reasonably flexible. By providing the central support portion 11with a recess containing the array of ribs 26, 27 and 28 the centralsupport portion 11 is rendered sufficiently stiff to allow a patient'sback to be immobilized while the wings retain the resilience andflexibility to be wrapped around a patient. The fact that the wholesplint 10 is formed of essentially X-ray transparent materials allows apatient to be examined by X-rays without being removed from the splint.

The second aspect of the invention will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 8 and 9. Similar parts of the splint 10 of this embodiment willreceive the same numbers as they received in the description relating toFIGS. 1 to 7. In all respects except the provision of a hinge the splint10 is identical with the splint 10 earlier described and for this reasonthe whole splint 10 is not described.

The hinge 60 is provided in the central support portion 11 between theindentations 20 and the start of the wings 12 and 13. The head part 61of central support portion is provided with an end wall 62 andprojecting from the end wall is a transversely extending tube 63 havinga hexagonal bore 64. The tube 63 has its axis parallel to the plane ofthe back wall 25 and at right angles to the axis of the central supportportion 11. The tube 63 is centrally disposed on wall 62 and issubstantially shorter than it.

The body part 65 of the central support portion is provided with an endwall 66 from which extend a pair of spaced apart transversely extendingtubes 67 and 68 each of which has a hexagonal bore 69 and 71respectively.

The hinge includes four tubular locking pieces 72, 73, 74 and 75 formedof structural plastics material such as nylon. Each of the lockingpieces 72, 73, 74 and 75 includes a hexagonal body part 76 and a flange77 extending radially from one end of the body part. The face of eachflange 77 distal to the body part 76 includes a plurality of radiallydirected teeth 78. A circular section bore 79 exceeds longitudinallythrough each of the locking pieces 72, 73, 74 and 75.

The locking piece 72 is positioned within bore 69 of tube 67 with itsflange 77 facing inwardly and similarly locking piece 75 is positionedwithin bore 71 of tube 68. Locking pieces 73 and 74 are positionedwithin opposite ends of bore 64 in tube 63 with the flanges 77 facingoutwardly.

When assembled the teeth 78 of respective pairs of locking pieces 72 and73 and 74 and 75 interdigitate. A rod 81 which is threaded at each endextends through respective bores 79 in locking pieces 72, 73, 74 and 75.A wing nut 82 is threadedly engaged with each end of rod 81. Each wingnut 82 includes a frusto-conical face 83 surrounding bolt 81 whichengages with a corresponding frusto-conical face surrounding the bore 79of the locking pieces 72 and 75.

In use, when it is desired to change the relative angular inclinationbetween the head part 61 and the body part 65 of the central supportportion 11 the wing nuts 82 are loosened to enable the locking parts 73and 74 to rotate relative to locking parts 72 and 75 as the head part 61and body part 65 are rotated relative to one another. When the desiredangular inclination has been achieved the wing nuts 82 are againtightened forcing flanges 77 of locking parts 72 and 73 and 74 and 75together such that their interdigitating teeth 78 prevent furtherrelative rotation between head part 61 and body part 65.

The positioning of tubes 63, 67 and 68 on the head part 61 and body part65 is such that the parts 61 and 65 may rotate relative to one anotherbetween a position in which they are in axial alignment to a position inwhich they are 25° out of alignment.

I claim:
 1. A splint device for the spinal immobilization of a patient,comprising a generally rigid central support portion adapted to extendfrom the lumbar region to the head region adjacent the spine of apatient, two pairs of laterally exending flexible wings attached to theside edges of the support portion, a first pair of the wings beingadapted to extend about the head of a patient, and a second pair of thewings being adapted to extend about at least one of the thoracic andlumbar regions of the patient, first engagement means adapted to retainthe first pair of wings about the head of a patient and secondengagement means adapted to retain the said second pair of wings aboutat least one of the thoracic and lumbar regions of a patient, the splintdevice being characterized in that the central support portion is formedintegrally with the wings from a synthetic plastic material and has alongitudinal cavity and includes within the cavity a plurality oflongitudinal and diagonal stiffening ribs adapted to render the centralsupport portion substantially inflexible laterally along its length. 2.A splint device as claimed in claim 1, in which the said cavity isconcave on its side proximal to the patient.
 3. A splint device asclaimed in claim 1, in which the stiffening ribs include two sets ofsubstantially parallel diagonal ribs, ribs of the respective setsintersecting.
 4. A splint device as claimed in claim 1, in which aclosure panel is provided on the central support portion to cover thecavity and the integrally formed stiffening ribs contained therein.
 5. Asplint device as claimed in claim 4, in which the closure panel is soconnected with the central support portion that its outer surface isflush with the outer surface of the central support portion of thesplint device.
 6. A splint device as claimed in claim 1, in which thewings of at least one pair each reduce in thickness in tapering fashionfrom a position adjacent the central support portion to a positionadjacent the free end of that wing.
 7. A splint device as claimed inclaim 6, in which each wing tapers in thickness from a thickness of from3 to 5 mm adjacent the central support portion to a thickness of from0.5 to 2.5 mm adjacent the free end of that wing.
 8. A splint device asclaimed in claim 1, in which the wings of at least one pair thereof areformed with an array of longitudinally extending, substantially parallelcorrugations.
 9. A splint device as claimed in claim 1, in which thecentral support portion and the wings are made from polypropylene.
 10. Asplint device as claimed in claim 1, in which the first engagement meanscomprise a pair of straps adapted to be passed around the forehead andchin respectively of a patient and connected at each end to a respectiveone of the first pair of wings.
 11. A splint device as claimed in claim1, in which the second engagement means comprise straps adapted to passrespectively around the legs and abdomen of a patient, the straps beingconnected at each end to a respective one of the second pair of wings.